Advent Blog

The trade shows industry is built upon the visual experience. Booths, displays, point of purchase kiosks and other marketing tools are focused on grabbing a trade-show attendee with their eyes. Many marketing firms and graphic design agencies are always looking to keep up with the latest trends in the design culture. Many booths fail in their overall design because, quite frankly, all the booths look the same. What, then, makes a booth differentiated from others while simultaneously encompassing a successful design? Here are 5 tips to consider when creating a design strategy for a booth:

1.  K.I.S.S. it.

Keep it simple.  Most people overdesign their booths. This comes as a result of wanting to wow and flaunt every bell and whistle that a client can add to their custom booth. Eventually people get tired of the frilly, expensive junk that can overpower a booth’s intended purpose. Keep the design simple, and people will recognize the fresh air your booth can give.

2.  Don’t design for trends.

Too many designers are designing to be current, hip, and trendy. These are not necessarily bad, but if they are only directed towards being the king of the hill and not conveying the message your company wants to convey, then viewers will surely pass by. Good designers know what evokes emotion, grabs people’s attention and can attract a set of eyes to a certain design scheme. Focus the design on what will grab people, not the latest “Best Of” in graphic design.

3.  Integrate!

Using only 2D design is good. Integrating other types of design elements to draw viewers in is EVEN better. Effects such as LED dynamic lighting, alternate fabric materials, and even sound can enhance the experience of a booth-goer.

4.  Key phrases are key

Including too much text in the design of a booth will certainly keep people from exploring your booth. Think about it, who wants to stand before a booth and read the first chapter of a novel? The answer is simple: no one. Working with marketing specialists, graphic designers can focus what phrases, words and short sentences will grab the attention of attendees.

5.  Message

The overall message of what your company wants to project is as equally as important as the design itself. Not only does the design complete this, but so does the demeanor and attitude of the team working the booth. Don’t let the design be the only spokesperson.

Logan is a senior graphic design major at Lipscomb University.  Creativity, productivity, and passion for art have spelled success in the form of several honors including the Robert M. Neal Scholarship for Fine Arts and a dynamic marketing internship with Advent.  Advent exists atop a rapidly expanding experiential marketing field and helps companies communicate the essence of their brand through engaging exhibits, environments, and events.  For more information, visit www.adventresults.com.